Guest column: Thank you, MDOT, for forcing us off the highway for a few months

Grand Rapid Press File PhotoEastbound and westbound traffic flows past as construction workers in September work on the westbound retaining wall during the Fix on I-196 project.

By Jane M. Siegel

I live in the country, where I see deer more than I see neighbors. But I work downtown. And for years, I drove the same way to work: down I-196. The drive was automatic for me, a mindless merging from one highway to another, an almost-autopilot exit, and then a skimming of surface streets to parking structure. During the commute, I saw cars and trucks and an occasional motorcycle. The drivers were hidden behind tinted glass or high above me in their cabs. Even the motorcyclists were hidden in leather and helmets that made them look like big bugs, gender unknown. And I wondered: who were they? Where are they going? What do they do?

But then, thanks to MDOT, I was forced to change. Change can be good, right? The first few days I tapped impatiently on my steering wheel, I yelled at slowpokes, I clucked at late lane-changers. Then I was forced to exit the highway and raise myself to city streets.

Yes, it was a slower commute. But it was, oh, so much more interesting! Suddenly, there were people not in cars or trucks! They were standing, walking, waiting at intersections.

I saw young mothers with babies in strollers. I saw men who slouched toward street signs without actually leaning on them. I saw police men and women outside of their police cars — and not giving tickets. They were strolling, and chatting, even laughing, with those slouching men.

On the corner of Division and Cherry, I saw a woman who had way too many clothes on for July stop traffic. She walked, with a cane, diagonally through the intersection. She talked, loudly, to no one. And she took her time. Everyone waited. No car honked. No one edged forward or played with an accelerator. The woman owned that intersection, and we were glad to let her have it.

On the corner of Fulton and Diamond, I saw a young man in a lovely full skirt. I think it was plaid. When I drove by St. Mary’s Hospital, I saw a woman sitting on a bench, her walker in front of her. As I waited at the stop sign, I saw a younger woman come along and extend a hand to her. They smiled at each other. A daughter? A physical therapist? Or a kind stranger? I was glad to see her, and I was glad that someone had the wisdom to place a bench there.

At the new pocket park on Cherry, I saw people – so many! -- enjoying the new water fountain and plantings. They had squeezed themselves in to sit and enjoy the sunshine. I decided we need more of these parks.

I saw art galleries, shoe stores, and clothing boutiques. I drove on concrete, asphalt, hard-packed gravel, and old bricks. I dodged dump trucks, backhoes, and darting kids. I saw young women looking very stylish and flirting with young men. I felt like I was in one of those children’s books that teach the world is full of all kinds of people doing all sorts of things.

While MDOT labored on the expressway during 2010, it took me 15 to 20 minutes more every day to commute. But I was never bored. I was never mind-less. I smiled, at no one within the confines of my car but at the people and the scenes at so many corners. I must have laughed out loud, too. (I’m sure I did at the guy in the plaid skirt.) And I probably talked to myself. Perhaps another reason to have stop signs and traffic lights is to allow isolated drivers time to enjoy our surroundings and reflect.

So thank you, MDOT. The new 196 is certainly a nice road: wide and smooth and pretty in a concrete way. Thank you, too, for forcing me out of my country complacency and showing me my city -- my hometown -- anew. And most of all, thank you for showing me my neighbors.

Jane Siegel is an associate professor teaching research & writing at Thomas Cooley Law School in Grand Rapids. She lives in Ada.